With over 50 years experience in the mechanical and aerodynamic design, application and testing of all types of centrifugal fans, Argus Fans Inc can offer successful on-site solutions by an independent Professional Fan Engineer to any fan service problems involving Industrial or Commercial applications, such as those listed below: Bearing failures - replacement of bearings on-site Bearing re-design - if applicable to the solution Fan vibrations - on-site electronic balancing of fan impellers Impeller re-design for increased flow, or reduced build-up Sound testing and noise reduction - silencer designs for in-house fabrication Aerodynamic pulsations - with simple on-site fixes On-site fan testing and performance evaluation - to appropriate AMCA standards On-site impeller failure evaluation - with recommendations and repair supervision Improvement in wear rates - stress check to see if use of wear plates practical Stress review - classical stress analysis, or FEA if necessary Recommended improvements in maintenance Recommended improvements in corrosion resistance - use of special alloys or FRP

Listed below are some of the major problems tackled by Argus Fans Inc, all of which were solved successfully in the field. Even minor problems of long standing, have all been successfully resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

1. Was retained by large Iranian Steel company to successfully fix serious fan repairs to 7500 kW (10,000 HP) Pellet Plant fan that had moved along the 1metre diameter shaft. Successfully removed the impeller from shaft using a unique vertical rig and 500T hydraulic jack. Re-designed and improved hub attachment, and then supervised reinstallation of shaft into impeller. Fan now back in operation for several years.
2. Subsequently was requested to return to Iran to fix and repair another large Pellet Plant fan that had experienced severe vibration for a long time and had to be removed from service. Removed impeller from shaft and redesigned hub attachment to eliminate vibration under hot conditions. Fan now successfully in operation for at least 2 years. Issued a report on yet another process fan vibration problem at e Lime Plant. Recommended impeller design improvements to reduce lime dust build-up on impeller. Action currently under review
3. Was retained by a Bahrainian Pellet Plant to design and implement upgrades on 5 Process fans at their Pellet Plant to improve performance. Blade and wear-plates were extended by welding extensions to existing impeller. Supervised the correct welding and manufacture of all extensions in the field.
4. Analyzed and solved problem of reason for failure of broken hub bolts on large Bahrainian Pellet Plant fan. Supervised installation of redesigned bolts and method of replacement on site without removing impeller. Undertook successful rebalancing of impeller on start-up.
5. Provided aerodynamic design to an Australian fan designer to successfully manufacture and install a large medium pressure Airfoil fan in parallel with an existing fan to increase production.
6. Provided successful silencing solution to a local fan manufacture for a large number of identical axial Roof Ventilators that were creating a community noise problem at a large Canadian Steel plant.
7. Independently designed 2 large Radial Tipped fans for successful operation at a mine in Chile for a local fan manufacturer.
8. Provided liaison with local fan manufacturer on many subsequent designs involving AF, BC, RT and large RB fans for industrial applications – all in successful operation.
9. Undertook calculations for Canadian company in Ontario to evaluate perforated plastic piping system pressure loss for several methane gas recovery installations used in foundations of new Commercial buildings. Recommended fan performance used to purchase the exhaust fan for exhausting the methane gas. Calculations were made successfully on dozens of methane gas applications.
10. Reviewed problems of persistent vibrations over decades on a kiln exhaust fan at a Lime Plant operation at a in Northern Ontario. Successfully modified sleeve bearings to provide oil film stability. Fan now operating smoothly at temperature.
11. Successfully re-designed radial bladed impeller used for conveying coal dust to furnace at a Power Plant in Saskatchewan, with improved wear plate material and improved method of removing impeller from shaft for regular servicing. Many, many impellers and replacement wear plates were sold directly to this Power Plant over several years.
12. Acted as Design Consultant to a Quebec company for several projects regarding fan performance. Designed several Induction Venturis for handling sticky airborne particles that normally build-up on fan blades. Venturi system avoids problem of gases going through fan.
13. Successfully redesigned a BC impeller used on a Canadian car wash facility to reduce power and increase exit jet velocity for improved overall performance in removing water from car bodies.
14. Analyzed severe aerodynamic pulsation problem on an exhaust fan used in a wood-working plant in Toronto. Recommended a simple and economical design addition to the fan case that successfully solved the vibration problem.
15. Recommended minor impeller design changes that successfully improved the operation of a hand-held engine-driven leaf blower at a large US manufacturing facility.
16. Undertook an in-plant inspection of sound and performance testing of a very large HVAC unit that was being built in Canada for 2 high schools in Virginia, USA.
17. Undertook site performance testing for a local Ontario company on several large high temperature Pellet Plant fans at a Mexican Steel complex, with detailed report and recommendations for up-grade from the present performance.
18. Calculated performance curves for a local Ontario company from impeller and casing dimensions of a competitor’s at another Mexican Pellet plant .
19. Provided detailed analysis of design parameters and design curves used to establish actual impeller performance from on-site fan case dimensions for a US company specializing in repairing and improving the performance of impellers subject to serious wear on pulverized coal applications.
20. Analysis of problems at a Steam Plant in a Paper company in Maine, USA. Sudden pressure drop after a motor replacement found to be due to removal of 140 tubes from heat exchanger, or possibly a control malfunction. Airflow performance tests at several VIV openings confirmed diagnosis.
21. Customer in NY State, USA, requested possible increase in fan size to improve cooling in a diesel driven generator. Analysis indicated a change to a larger FC impeller from existing RT (radial tip) impeller.
22. Analysis of unusual vibration response from 2 combustion air fans at a large Steel facility in Ontario. Detailed analysis in consultation with the maintenance staff indicated there was a disconnect between the concrete plinth of the outboard pedestal and the underlying concrete foundation. Repair to this disconnect solved the vibration problem.
23. Analysis of the performance tests undertaken on some Aluminum smelter fans to see if more airflow could be obtained from the existing system It appeared that the existing transformers were installed undersized, which seriously limited increasing the fan airflow. Recommendations were made to reduce the system pressure drop, after careful evaluation of the system resistance data.
24. Analyzed reasons for restricted airflow on straw conveying system from several performance tests conducted on-site. Provided detailed drawings of recommended changes to impeller and fan case required to increase airflow. Customer called to say modified fan is operating successfully as predicted.
25. A USA manufacturer of heat exchangers was looking for an improved fan capacity within the HP of the present motor. Analysis of the performance requirements suggested the use of an Airfoil impeller rather than a FC impeller. Limitations of space required a custom designed fan casing to fit into the existing heat exchanger. Confirmation tests being undertaken at present.